Coach Alexander Loul Syum is in his first season as the head men’s basketball coach for Mt Hood Community College. Coach Syum has his Masters of Science in Sports Psychology from University of Western States, and his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Bethany College. Coach Syum went to Parkrose High School in NE Portland where he was a three year varsity basketball starter. He was awarded 1st team honors in 2008. After graduating high school in 2009, he continued to play basketball for two seasons at Clackamas Community College. He then transferred to Bethany College (NAIA) in Lindsborg, Kansas where he finished his basketball collegiate career. After graduating in 2015, he worked as a career counselor in various high school programs. He also spent his time coaching high school basketball as an assistant/JV coach. He started volunteering as a AAU coach to work with grassroots youth. He also spent time volunteering with the Clackamas Community College Men’s Basketball Team where he focused on player development.
In 2018 Coach Syum accepted a full time job in Singapore as a head basketball coach at Fastbreak, a local basketball club. Winning 15U and 16U championships he continued to build meaningful relationships with basketball influencers throughout the region. After working in Singapore for 11 months, Coach Syum traveled to east Africa and visited Eritrea to begin his work volunteering and consulting with the Eritrea Basketball Federation. He is currently still working with the Eritrea Basketball Federation and Sports Commissioner as a basketball ambassador. He has been working to promote basketball in Eritrea, and recruit Eritrean basketball players from around the world to participate in upcoming AfroCUP, FIBA, and Olympic opportunities. He is on schedule to participate as an ambassador in 2023 & 2024.
After his time overseas, Coach Syum moved back to Portland, Oregon in 2019 and started a new journey as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Clackamas Community College. As an assistant coach, he focused on player development and performance training. From 2019-2022, the Cougars were 46-21, winning the southern region championship (2020). He had the honor of coaching Robert Ford III, who won 2020 NWAC player of the year, Southern region MVP, and DPOY. He also coached Kwan Carter who was awarded 2021 DPOY, and Wade Autenreith who was awarded Freshman of the year (2020).
Coach Loul also collaborated with other coaches and Eri_internationalsports to hold an Eritrean basketball showcase in Minnesota during the summer of 2022. The Showcase was very popular and will also be held in the future within the USA and Europe. Congratulations on his first year as head coach at Mt. Hood Community college.
Erisports.
